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Sebastian lifts his brow in questioning. “So what are you saying?”
Yeah, what are you saying, Bel? Part of me is worried to tell him that I’m working on trusting Drew again because I know he doesn’t support us being together, but I think that’s mainly because he doesn’t want me hurt. But getting hurt comes with falling in love. No pain, no gain.
“I’m trying to work things out with Drew. I haven’t forgiven him, and we have a long road before we’re going to be a couple, but I want you to know and hear it from me that we’re working on things. I’m not asking for your approval or even support. I just don’t want you standing in the way and causing problems.”
His body’s tense, but he remains sitting, his face neutral. He’s better at masking his emotions than I’ll ever be.
“So you’re saying you don’t give a fuck if I agree or not because you’re working this out with Drew, and that’s that?”
Okay, when you put it that way, it sounds kind of rude.
I look down at the food in my hands. The remaining bites of burger stare back at me. “Well, kinda, yes. I’m making my own decisions. I want to be in control of my life and what happens. I know you’re trying to protect me, but protecting me and being an overbearing brother are different. Not to say you’re being overbearing right now, but I can see it heading down that road, and I want to stop it before it gets to that point.”
I’m both shocked and surprised when he smiles, the kind that makes his green eyes light up, showing just a little bit of the human he is underneath the hard exterior.
“You’re smiling like you’re happy.”
“Of course I’m happy.”
I smirk back at him. “Okay, well, I didn’t expect you to take things so well. I half expected you to scold me.”
“Scold you? Maybe a little. But that’s only because I’m selfish and don’t know how to handle having a sibling. I care about you and want to protect you from anything and anyone that might cause you harm or pain. Drew included. It pisses me off that he hurt you, but I’m coming to terms with it and learning to accept things for what they are. If you can change, then so can he.”
“Me change? I haven’t changed.” I grab a fry from the napkin and shove it into my mouth.
Sebastian brushes the blond curls from his forehead, and it’s then I see more of the young, alluring man he is. If only everyone could see this side of him. The side that’s both sweet and fierce. “Bel, you’ve changed so much in the time since our mother passed, and I’m beyond proud of you for it. Proud of you for sticking up for yourself, and for fighting for what you want. Most would’ve fallen into depression and never escaped it. Yeah, you were sad and wallowed in your misery for a while, but who wouldn’t?”
I guess. He continues. “You might not see it, but I do, and I’m sure Drew does too.”
The kindness of his words makes me feel all warm inside. “Whoa, slow it down. Someone might overhear us and think you have a heart in that chest of yours.”
Something sinister flicks in his gaze. “Let them. It’ll be the last thing they ever hear.”
I laugh, thinking it’s a joke, but soon discover he’s serious when his own expression never changes. Okay…
"We never really discussed it, but what was that fight with Drew about? He explained to me that he knew nothing about the invitation. He thinks it’s just another way his dad is trying to stir the pot and cause issues.”
His body tenses, and he clenches his fingers together on the table. "Do you believe him?” Do I? The fear of putting my faith in him and him fooling me again terrifies me, but no bone in my body believes Drew is playing along with his father anymore.
“Yes.”
“I find it hard to believe he knew nothing. His father wouldn’t blindside him to things.”
“I think you’re wrong. He explained he knew nothing about it, and I believe him. His father is an asshole, and this seems like something he would do. You, more than anyone, once being his best friend, know how his father is.”
He narrows his eyes. “Since when are you the number one chick on the Drew Marshall cheering squad? Did he dickmatize you again?”
I snort and shake my head, but he continues, some of the humor in his tone leaking away. “I can’t be one hundred percent certain, but his father needs him. He needs him at his side. Not sharing important information would make him look weak unless his intention is to shake things up, which is definitely the feeling I got when the invitation arrived without warning. But it’s not the warning I care about since I know this is the season. It’s the damn order to bring you. He has no authority over me.” His tone holds a good amount of suspicion, and while Drew deserves some of his anger, the majority should be directed at the real monster in all this: his father.
“You’ve been best friends for the better part of your lives. I’ve known his dad all of five minutes, and I get the impression he’ll do anything he can to get to the top. He doesn’t care who he has to hurt, even if it’s his own son.” I pause and look away for a moment. This conversation is going deeper than I expected. “All I’m saying is don’t end your friendship with him for me. Drew has been through a lot, and that’s not an excuse for his behavior. But the last thing he needs is another person against him. Besides, I think...I think he misses you.”
Sebastian sighs. “Things with Drew are complicated. He’s like a brother to me and always will be, but you’re my sister. Family always comes first, and if I have to choose to protect you or him, it will be you.”
"Why not choose both of us? Why aren’t you putting this anger into Drew’s father? Yeah, he deserves to have his balls busted, but his dad, he deserves worse."
A sinister smile twists his lips. “And his time will come sooner than he thinks.”
“Not soon enough,” I mumble under my breath.
